Akpabio Vows to Champion Women’s Rights Forever
IBY
Peterside Rejoice Eneky
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has reaffirmed his lifelong commitment to championing women’s rights, declaring that he will continue advocating for gender equality “until the day he dies.”
Akpabio made this declaration on Thursday during the Nigerian Senate’s event marking International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025. The event, themed “Accelerate Action – Economic and Political Inclusion, Walk the Talk,” underscored the urgent need for increased women’s representation in leadership and governance.
In his address, Akpabio pledged to push for the passage of five key gender bills currently under discussion in the Senate. He acknowledged the critical role of women in governance, describing them as better managers and strong decision-makers.
However, he expressed concern over the challenges women face in politics, particularly the reluctance of female voters to support women candidates. He emphasized the need to address these barriers to ensure greater female representation in decision-making positions.
Akpabio also highlighted the negative impact of false accusations on gender advocacy, warning that such incidents could undermine efforts to achieve equality. Nevertheless, he assured that the Senate would remain steadfast in its commitment to women’s empowerment and inclusivity.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Suleiman Ibrahim, also spoke at the event, celebrating the achievements of Nigerian women and commending the Senate’s efforts. She noted the historic 1,000% increase in the Ministry’s budget as a significant step toward empowering women.
Ibrahim stressed the need for more women in leadership and called for continued policy reforms to support gender equality.
Other stakeholders echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the global IWD 2025 theme, “Accelerate Action,” presents a crucial opportunity for reflection and decisive action toward gender equity in Nigeria.
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